Suryanelli rape case: Kerala govt to seek legal opinion

Kottayam: Kerala government on Saturday said it would seek legal opinion on whether a fresh investigation should be conducted into the allegations against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, in the wake of the woman in the Suryanelli case persisting with her charge of being gangraped.

"Wait...Let us seek legal opinion on whether a fresh probe is required. We will consult the Advocate General and Director General of Prosecution. On the basis of their opinion we will take a decision," Home Minister Thiruvananchur Radhakrishnan told reporters in Kottayam.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) politbureau member MA Baby said it would be morally inappropriate for Kurien to continue as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman in view of the allegation levelled against him. "My personal opinion is, it is morally incorrect for him to continue in the post. The national leadership of the Congress party should think about this and take a decision," Baby told reporters in Kannur.

The CPI(M) has said it would be inappropriate for PJ Kurien to continue as RS Deputy Chairman in view of the allegation levelled against him.

Baby declined to comment on his senior colleague VS Achuthanandan's charges that the then Advocate General had not taken proper action in the case when the LDF ministry headed by late EK Nayanar was in power. "Let the party form its opinion on this. I cannot say anything on this until the party does so," he added.

The woman had on January 29 sent a letter to her advocate in the Supreme Court to explore the possibility of a review of the Apex Court order quashing all charges against Kurien. On Saturday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had ruled out reinvestigation into the gangrape case saying the allegation was not new and top courts had cleared charges raised against Kurien.